MTX and birth control | Arthritis Information

Hi, I posted here once before. When I first got diagnosed with polyarticular onset juvinile RA.

I'm 16,and since then i've been on naproxen twice a day everyday and mtx in pill form once a week. So far i'm taking 8 mtx pills. And I take folic acid pill after mtx. I don't REALLY feel it's working THAT much. I am walking faster lately, but mtx makes me tireeeed and neausous. And my hair is pretty much falling out now. I've been on mtx now for about 4 or 5 weeks I suppose. Should I be feeling loads better by now? Or do I give it more time?

My specialist said in jan, my next appointment, she'll check my improvement to see if I should start enbrel or if mtx by itself is working.

I have another question though about birth control. Can I start the pill even if i'm on mtx, naproxen, and folic acid? My mom is not happy about me wanting to be on the pill, because she believes it can cause cancer/I already have so many meds in my body. BUT, I really do want to be on the pill. I rather go with my mom to get bc, but I know I can always just go and get it by myself. Is there any certain pill you suggest? Should I get my specialist to write out a perscription, or just go to planned parenthood and get it from them?

I'm trying to think of the easiest way to do this..

Hiya, Thumbelina!

I'm sorry to hear the meds aren't making you feel any better. I would stick to it though, give it a bit longer. I'm on it as well. The hair loss was pretty bad at first (I cried), but it slowly tapered off as my body adjusted to the med. Keep taking your folic acid, it helps.

Hmm... birth control. I tried taking the pills, but I totally sucked at remembering them!! Hehe. I actually have an IUC (Mirena) that I personally think is absolutely fantastic. It was placed this past April and I have no complaints whatsoever at this point. I did have some probs with Rosie at first; she was showing up every two weeks. But after about 2mos I didn't have any problems at all. Now when Rosie shows up, she's carrying light luggage and doesn't hang out very long (2-4 days). I'm not sure if this would be the route for you to take though, being so young. (Oh, to be 16 again!

I hope your MTX starts kicking in at 100% and makes you feel back to normal quickly. Have a superfantastic and extra comfortable day!

As for birth control pills, yes you can take them with the other drugs. I've been on bcp continuously for 20 years now (since I was 17). Although it can raise your risk of some cancers, it can actually decrease your risk of other cancers (here's a link with the details: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/oral-contr aceptives). To minimize your risks, ask your doctor if you can go on a low-dose pill which has less of the hormones in it. Another benefit is the regular periods, which are extremely light for me.

I would recommend that you see an ob-gyn not only for the pill prescription but to get a gynecological check-up. It is important to get yourself checked out regularly, and once your on bcp, they'll most likely want to see you once a year. The exam is not that big a deal...just relax so you don't tense up.

Try to talk to your mother if you can...it's always better if you can be open with your parents.

I hope the mtx starts helping you real soon!

Hi Thumbelina. I've been on mtx for 18 yrs and bc for about 6 yrs now. For the past year I've taken 2 pills/day (2 packs, 1 pill from each pack each day) because I also have Endometriosis and I haven't noticed any drug interactions at all. I would also recommend going to a Gyno to get the pill because they will be able to better determine which pill is right for you. There are many choices with many different levels of real and fake hormones and other things. Hi Thumbelina,

You can take the pill while on MTX. But my current MD thinks that the pill can increase inflammation so you may want to avoid it for that reason. She told me I should not be taking the pill because the estrogen will increase your inflammation. She is an osteopathic doctor and I trust her.

She suggested an IUD for me. I believe she recommended the copper one. I think Mirena would be OK too. That is the other IUD. I will be getting mine soon. She feels no one should be on the pill for more than two years regardless.

Susan :)
I hope the mtx starts to work soon for you. I also agree that you need to take the folic acid everyday, not just once a week to help with the hair loss.

Mtx is a category X for pregnancy, they actually use it in some cases to induce miscarriages. It is known to cause birth defects and pregnancy should be avoided at all cost while on it and for three months after stopping it.

I was on the pill from age 16 to age 34 when I wanted to get pregnant. Than I started back up about a year ago, at age 37. I was just recently dx with blood clots in my lungs and my legs. They can be life threatening. They believe that the pill was to blame as it is know to cause blood clots. However, I have many health problems so who can really know what caused them. Just know that they do have risks. I got mine from the planned parenthood for many years when I couldn't afford it any other way. They will do and exam before starting you on any form of bc. If you are sexually active you need to take precautions though so do go and ask about all the different options! Actually I dont think you would qualify for an IUD because of your age...I have been on BC pills for years and never had any problems and actually do a lot better with them. Lighter periods, better skin, less swelling and headaches prior to periods. I have taken Orthotricycline and Yaz..and both are good. I just recently switched back to orthotricycline because it comes in generic form and is cheaper. The pill is good for birth control purposes, just remember it wont protect you from diseases so you still need to use condoms.Age is not a factor, but having a baby is. I should have remembered that IUDs are recommended for women who have had a baby.

I had a baby at 25 so that was no big deal for me.

My doctor still feels that the pill is not good for you past a few years. So it is something to keep in mind.

I think that the IUD is recommended for those who are in a monagomous relationship and not at risk for pelvic inflammatory disease...and I naturally assumed that her age was an indicator that she had not had a baby yet..maybe not the best way to predict that seeing as how some girls get pregnant at age 12...but just the same that was the reasoning behind the statement.

There is the depo provera shot that I have known many people to have success with, including a PA that I used to work with who also had Lupus. The people I have known to have norplant were not happy with it and had it taken out. There is the patch also...I dont know much about that but if you have sensitve skin or rashes you may not be a candidate for that.